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	people's history of the united states Genres: Alternative Rock, Special Interest This double-CD set, though not a straight-through reading of Howard Zinn's seminal book of the same title, is a fine starting point for those interested in its ideas. A professor of "radical" (depending on your class loyal... more » « less
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Title: people's history of the united states
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Alternative Tentacle
Genres: Alternative Rock, Special Interest
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 721616022421

Synopsis

Amazon.com

This double-CD set, though not a straight-through reading of Howard Zinn's seminal book of the same title, is a fine starting point for those interested in its ideas. A professor of "radical" (depending on your class loyalties) history, Zinn is brilliant at one thing--presenting an unblinking, holistic view of post-Columbian America's bloodiest political pathologies, laid out in clear, passionate language. While the effect can be despairing, his bracingly optimistic vision of historical change proceeding from the movements of ordinary citizens isn't. A People's History is made up of a two-hour lecture delivered at Oregon's Reed College in 1995, complete with Q&A, and it strikes Zinn's familiar chords--corporate welfare, media hegemony, the "disappearing" of radical events from U.S. history books. Partisans of Judi Bari or Noam Chomsky will find little that's new here. But Zinn's manner, that of a graying uncle reminiscing almost bemusedly about life's follies, is more effectively subversive than theirs. Zinn slings masterfully at his targets, the appreciative audience of lefties and grad students titter germanely, and the damage gets done. --Steve Lafreniere

CD Reviews

An excellent companion piece to Zinn's written work!

Joseph Zeccola | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the Amazon.com reviewer stated above, those who know where Howard Zinn is coming from and what he believes will not find much new material; but that should not dissuade you. What you will find, if you have never heard him speak before, is a man personally and passionately connected to his work. Howard Zinn is truly a man who has lived a life full of impassioned resistance against the ruling class. He cares deeply about what he says and speaks convincingly, but not single-mindedly. This is a man who has deep convictions, but is also curious and open-minded--with a great self-deprocating sense of humor. It's a pleasure to listen to him speak. And if you've read his books and found the material depressing or discouraging, this lecture will put that in proper perspective. A great man and a great CD. I'd recommend it highly to anyone who is a fan of Howard Zinn or to anyone who is curious to know why he has developed such a following.Listener beware though, Howard Zinn, as in his books, makes no attempt to be objective in his statements or beliefs. He believes, I think rightly so, that it is absolutely impossibe to be objective. That to Mr. Zinn is dishonest history--we all have biases, and they will always reveal themselves in one way or another. Howard Zinn's bias is toward the working class, the poor, the weak, the oppressed and to everyone who has worked hard in life but was never able to "get ahead". If you like your history more "objective", he's not your guy."